The last living American Hamas hostage in Gaza has been transferred to Israel, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
In a video posted on the social media platform X on Monday, IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani said that Edan Alexander had “just now crossed into Israeli territory.”
“Edan, a soldier in the Golani Brigade, was abducted from Kissufim military base on Oct. 7,” Shoshani added. “Alongside the joy over Staff Sgt. Edan’s release, this war is still ongoing.”
On Sunday, President Trump announced that Hamas was set to let go of Alexander in a post on his Truth Social platform.
“I am happy to announce that Edan Alexander, an American citizen who has been held hostage since October 2023, is coming home to his family,” Trump said in his post. “I am grateful to all those involved in making this monumental news happen.”
The president called the release “a step in good faith” towards the U.S., as well as mediators Qatar and Egypt “to put an end to this very brutal war and return ALL living hostages and remains to their loved ones.”
“Hopefully this is the first of those final steps necessary to end this brutal conflict. I look very much forward to that day of celebration!” Trump added.
Last week, Israeli Cabinet members went forward with a plan to take control of the Gaza Strip for an unspecified length of time, lessening hopes of a ceasefire with Hamas in the near future. Israel’s military action in Gaza has resulted in widespread death and destruction of infrastructure in the territory since Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023 deadly attack that started the current war.
